Sanctuary Meetings

Rooted in the conviction that there is that of God in every person, Quakers across Britain are working to welcome people seeking sanctuary.

Hundreds of Quakers around Britain have responded to the migration crisis by acting in solidarity with refugees and migrants. Quakers in Britain as an organisation now provides funding, guidance and political advocacy support to a network of Quaker local meetings who pledge to create a culture of welcome in their communities.

What is a Sanctuary Meeting?

Working with others to change the laws on destitution, detention, deportations and removals.

How a Sanctuary Meeting fulfills the commitments changes from area to area. Actions taken will vary in response to local issues, abilities and passions within the community, and the leadings of the Spirit. Here are some of the things that Sanctuary Meetings are supported to do:

Building alliances with migrant or BAME-led anti-racist groups in your area, including by offering room grants.

Holding at least one public meeting a year with other local groups, especially people with direct experience of being discriminated against by the border system.

There are now more than 60 Sanctuary Meetings in Scotland, Wales and England, and we can support all who choose to join them in this committment to creating sanctuary everywhere.

Become a Sanctuary Meeting

At your next Local Business Meeting, seek a minute committing to the three points listed above.

Email your Local Meeting minute and contact details for the two people working on the project to sanctuary@quaker.org.uk. At least one of the two people should be a member or attender at your meeting. You will be supported with training, publicity materials, retreats, teleconferences and mutual support networks, channelled into a campaign for political change.

Useful resources

The Sanctuary Everywhere Manifesto The manifesto agreed by the highest Quaker decision-making body in Britain, Meeting for Sufferings. Among other things, it calls for the closure of immigration detention centres. Download the Sanctuary Everywhere Manifesto (PDF).

The Sanctuary Everywhere booklet of testimonies Quakers share their reasons for working on the issue of migration and racial justice, and the actions they are taking. Download the booklet of testimonies (PDF).

Being a Sanctuary Meeting: Questions and Answers A short leaflet that provides information that may help your meeting come to a decision about becoming a Sanctuary Meeting. Download Being a Sanctuary Meeting (PDF).

Find out more

Rooted in the conviction that God resides within every person, Quakers across Britain are working to welcome people seeking sanctuary.

Actions include hosting people at home, providing legal support, volunteering in Calais and Dunkirk, local campaigning, providing English lessons, visiting detention centres, holding anti-racism events and preparing gifts as welcome presents for newcomers.

This builds on a long tradition of faith in action. Many Friends were amongst those who helped enslaved people escape the US South in the 19th century, helped Jews and others oppressed by the Nazis escape Germany in the 1930s, and more recently helped initiate and build the Sanctuary Movement in the US and UK.